MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Derelict crime hotspot school demolished

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Dear MyPE

After a decade of hard work and constant pressure put on the provincial government by the Democratic Alliance (DA), the ruins of Khumbulani High School in North End, Port Elizabeth has finally been demolished.

The school burnt down in 2010 and the decrepit school grounds became a crime hot spot in North End. The damaged building became a breeding ground for criminal activities such as drug dealing and prostitution. Vagrants who occupied the premises also stole items from surrounding properties.

The battle to have the school demolished was not only fought in the provincial government by DA Members of the Provincial Legislature but also on a local government level by our public representatives.

DA Councillors started the fight against the situation at the school in 2010, but this intensified after the DA took over government of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality following the local government elections in 2016.

Since 2016, DA Ward 5 Councillor Cllr Sandile Rwexwana, has worked tirelessly to fight the scourge of problem buildings in Nelson Mandela Bay and stood at the forefront of efforts to have Khumbulani High School demolished. He also served on the problem building task team I created while still the NMB Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements.

Cllr Rwexwana had numerous meetings with the community and with the Eastern Cape Departments of Education and Public Works and did not back down until this derelict building was finally destroyed.

The DA will never stop fighting to ensure the safety and security of communities in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Regards

Nqaba Bhanga
DA EC Provincial Leader

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Port Elizabethan

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